Need a new trimmer. Stihl or Echo?

[Mazo EMS2]

Anyone have any experience with Echo power tools? I have a couple Stihl products and like them, but open minded to consider Echo if they're competitive...

Thoughts?

[Saluda]

I prefer Stihl for what that's worth.

[WilcoJunoHotel]

I have both. The pros mostly all use Stihl but I have used Echo products for 30+ years with no issues. I have a Stihl chainsaw that I had have for 25 years and use about once every 5 years and it still starts and runs great. I have an Echo straight string trimmer that I have had almost as long and the only problem experienced was that the idle speed screw broke and I had to replace the throttle body ($30). Last year I bought my first ever backpack leaf blower and had to decide between a Stihl and an Echo and went with the Echo and love it - wish I had bought one sooner. The Stihl was slightly lighter but also $200 more. The Echo starts on the 3rd pull from cold start every time.

Having said all of this, I also have recently bought a battery powered chain saw, hedge trimmer, blower and string trimmer. They are not as heavy duty as the gas models but for quick, light duty homeowner work, they are fine. I find them easier to use and much quieter. One day they should get them on a par with the gas models - and our neighborhoods will be much quieter.

[AVBIZ]

+1 for Echo- I have 2 hedge trimmers, 2 blowers. All the same battery working for the past 5 years.

[RayBJ]

I have a Stihl weed whacker for about 3 years now. From day 1, the string reel and OEM string has been problematic. The string jams in the reel and popping to release more string rarely works. Other than than, the Stihl starts easily even after sitting a year.

[RykerRider1959]

I have been in the landscape biz for 32 years...Been using Echo the entire time...Trimmers, Blowers, Hedge Trimmers...At one time I had (3) 3 man crews working 60 hrs a week...The Echo tools stood the test of time...Semi-Retired now, but still using the Echo stuff...

[ARtraveler]

Good discussion.

Since moving to Arkansas, we have gone to battery power for string trimmer and leaf blower. We have the EGO brand. Works great for our one acre property. A battery outlasts most jobs we do. A year an a half and so far, no issues.

Now: back to the OP's topic.

[duke50]

Anyone have any experience with Echo power tools? I have a couple Stihl products and like them, but open minded to consider Echo if they're competitive...

Thoughts?

I recommend a Shindaiwa weed eater. I never heard of the brand back in 1990 when I bought it. 31 years later its sill runs like new, never had to take in for repair. Plugs and air cleaners, normal maintenance, that's it, you cant beat that.

[CopperSpyder]

Echo made in China, Stihl made in the USA. Both good products

[RykerRider1959]

Echo made in China, Stihl made in the USA. Both good products

Stihl has a manufacturing plant in China...Those products stay in Asia...They also own a company called Zama...They manufacture small engine carbs used on several trimmers/saws/blowers including Stihl...Those carbs are manufactured in Hong Kong...The engines on the Echo products are manufactured in Japan by the Kioritz Co...

[thereverend]

I have not had any problems with my ECHO trimmer that I have had for 5 years, starts every time.

[Mazo EMS2]

Thanks for all the input....I was biased toward Stihl, so I chickened out and stuck with them. Bought the gas Stihl FS70. I considered electric, but I really wanted the capability to swap out to a brush blade on occasion

[Little Blue]

.....

Now that you have purchased the Stihl, I will say to you,
my friend, have made an excellent choice.

I have purchased the new Sthil electric weed eater and love it.
My wife loves it too. ....

The old gas powered unit just sits in the garage. ....

...

[Little Blue]

...... ...


My wife uses the new Stihl electric weed eater all the time.

She will not let me use it.

Mom knows how to do it.
........sos.